Global Warming Destroys Indian Ocean Surface Coral

Biosystem threatened by rising sea temperatures

Charles Arthur The Independent

| September 26, 2003

Rising sea temperatures have killed 90 percent of surface coral
reefs in the Indian Ocean, destroying a complex aquatic biosystem
vital to coastal economies and home to thousands of unique
organisms, reports Charles Arthur in The Independent. A
gradual rise in sea temperature has been peaking on cycles, with
the latest peak -- in 1995 -- killing a great deal of coral that
has shown little ability to recover. This bodes poorly for the
creatures dependent on the reefs for survival. And since the Indian
Ocean is home to 16 percent of the world's coral reefs, their
protection is considered crucial. Yet as global temperatures
steadily rise more coral will likely be killed by the peak. Steven
Miller, director of the National Undersea Research Center at the
University of North Carolina, said, 'The extra degree or two we'll
see towards 2050 will push us over the edge.'
-- Joel Stonington